中山大学外国语学院常晨光教授句法学.pptVIP

Syntax Chang Chenguang flsccg@mail.sysu.edu.cn Syntax Syntax: the study of structure Poole (1999: 84): we can remind ourselves of the awe in which the common folk held those with a command of the skill of writing this is reflected in the fact that the word grammar is related to the word glamour. We can similarly refer to the different senses of the word spell, one denoting the representation of a word by letters, the other denoting control by means of magic. Syntax Sentences are composed of discrete units that are combined by rules. This system of rules explains how speakers can store infinite knowledge in a finite space – our brain. From Greek: syn- (together)+ tax (arrangement) Both the study of morphology and the study of syntax may be grouped together as grammar. Syntax as opposed to Morphology A principal distinction between morphology and syntax the former is concerned with the internal composition of a word, whereas the latter is concerned with combinations of words. Poole (1999: 76): Derivation, being concerned with the creation of new labels, draws morphology towards lexis while inflection, being concerned with function, draws morphology towards syntax. Different approaches to language (syntax) Language as a set of rules vs language as a system of communication A formal/structural approach: Going in through form A functional approach: Going in through meaning Sentence types Simple sentence: a single clause that stands alone as its own sentence Coordinate sentence: two or more clauses joined by a conjunction in a coordinate relationship Complex sentence: combining two or more clauses in such a way that one clause function as a grammatical part of the other one Sentence types Simple sentence: a single clause that stands alone as its own sentence Sam did his homework. His uncle bought him a nice present. Sentence types Coordinate sentence: two or more clauses joined by a conjunction in a coordinate relationship John did the cooking and Mary washed the